Dancing dragons, firecrackers tickle travelers in Binyang

Unlike other dragon dances, the firecracker dragon dance is one of the most distinctive.

People throw lit firecrackers at the dragon to drive away evil spirits and pray for peace and prosperity for the next year. Before the dance, people gather in the streets to worship their ancestors and enjoy homemade meals.

Liu Zhenjun, a dragon dancer from the Sanlian community team, said it has always been a tradition for dragon dancers to perform topless as a representation of courage and perseverance. "Once the dance starts, we are too excited to feel pain when firecrackers explode against our bodies," Liu said.

According to the local association, around 70 firecracker dragons were made by hand for the festival this year.

"The tradition has been properly passed down. There are around 40 handicraftsmen, including young people, who are able to make the bamboo dragon," said Zou Yute, an inheritor of the craft.